Policemen assaulted in Jirapa; AK-47 rifles stolen amid mob attack in Saawie Community
A routine police mission to defuse communal tensions in Saawie, a community in the Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region, ended in violence on Friday, 5 December 2025, after officers were assaulted and three AK-47 rifles stolen by an angry mob. The incident has triggered a large-scale police response and raised serious security concerns.
According to a police sitrep, the team led by ASP George Doe visited Saawie in response to complaints that homes of Fulani herdsmen faced threats of arson, part of longstanding communal tensions in the area. The plan was to invite community opinion leaders for dialogue.
Instead of cooperation, the officers were reportedly confronted by about thirty community members. The mob violently attacked them, injuring five officers, disarming them, and making off with three AK-47 rifles and a pistol.
The Regional Police Command responded swiftly. A reinforcement operation involving officers from multiple districts was launched, and nine suspects have so far been arrested. The missing firearms remain a grave concern for local and national security. Authorities issued a 24-hour ultimatum to community leaders to recover the remaining weapons and accessories, warning of severe consequences if they fail to comply.
The injured officers were taken to the St. Joseph Hospital in Jirapa. Police report that all are undergoing treatment; some have been discharged, while one who suffered a fractured arm has been referred to the Wa Regional Hospital for further care.
This alarming incident comes at a time when many in the region have expressed fears over rising communal violence and insecurity. The theft of service weapons particularly has raised concerns of those weapons falling into the hands of criminal elements or fueling further unrest. Security experts say recovering the rifles must be a top priority to prevent escalation.
Community leaders and local authorities have been urged to assist the police by helping recover the stolen weapons and providing information on those responsible. The Regional Commander has reiterated that such acts assault on law enforcement and theft of state arms will not be tolerated and will be met with full force of the law.
As investigations continue, the event serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing policing and communal peace in parts of Ghana. Many residents are calling for renewed efforts at conflict prevention, community dialogue, and strengthening trust between security agencies and local populations to avoid future tragedies.
